All tangible assets (including equipment, software, audio-visual
material, work tools, theatrical costumes, etc.) owned, leased or operated by the
University are to be used in the conduct of University programs and activities
at University owned or leased locations.

University departments may offer services only to other University
departments and only for University-related work. (Rates for this work must be
approved by the Corporate Controller.) Permitted work includes, instructional
work for credit and non-credit courses, conferences, workshops, institutes,
training programs, etc.; support for faculty research, publications,
presentations, and outreach activities; services for recognized student
organizations; and services for other organized student extramural
activities.

University tangible assets and services may not be used for personal
gain, by employees for purposes outside the scope of their employment (see also
Policy HR35 ), or by students
beyond their instructional requirements. University resources are to be used for University business. Following are further policy statements regarding the policy on personal use of University equipment, staff and services:

The use of email, internet, and office phone services for reasonable personal use is permitted if the University incurs no additional incremental cost for personal use.

These services may never be used in the conduct of a personal business or any other for-profit venture from which the employee (or member of their family) would receive personal gain.

Employees should not use these services for personal use if additional costs are incurred (i.e., long-distance phone calls). If incremental charges are incurred, the University must be reimbursed for the cost.

Excessive personal use which interferes with the employee's job performance is not appropriate and can be limited as needed by supervisors to assure employee productivity.

The use of University-owned equipment for personal use is generally not permitted, with the exception of technology equipment used for reasonable personal use as noted above.

University-owned technology equipment, such as computers and PDAs, may be permitted to be housed at an employee's home, but only if there is a business need for the use of that equipment at home and appropriate accountability forms are completed.

The use of University employees for services that would be considered personal, such as running errands or typing personal documents, is not permitted.

The use of non-public University facilities (those not available to the general public) for personal meetings or family events (see AD02 for additional policy statements) is not permitted.

Employees are encouraged to report instances of noncompliance with this policy. Employees can report concerns or observations of misuse or theft of University assets or services to any of the following: the employee’s immediate supervisor (unless they are the individual conducting the misuse), Internal Audit, the Employee Relations Division in the Office of Human Resources, their Financial Officer or Human Resources Representative, the University’s Ethics and Compliance Office and/or University Police. Alternatively, an employee can file a report with the University’s Financial and Compliance Hotline at 1-800-560-1637 or www.mycompliancereport.com/brand/psu . If an employee reports a concern about or observation of misuse or theft to his or her immediate supervisor, the supervisor should contact any of the above-named remaining units or individuals. If the Financial Officer or the employee’s work unit’s Human Resource Representative receives a report from the employee or the employee’s supervisor, they should contact Employee Relations, Internal Audit, the Ethics and Compliance Office or University Police.

When a report of misuse or theft of University assets or services is received by Internal Audit, Employee Relations, and the University’s Ethics and Compliance Office, they may consult and discuss with each other as necessary to insure the matter is properly addressed. If a decision is reached that the matter should be turned over to University Police, a recommendation is given to the Senior Vice President for Finance & Business/ Treasurer for his or her concurrence. After the recommendation is accepted by the Senior Vice President for Finance & Business/ Treasurer the matter will be referred to the Assistant Vice President for University Police/Public Safety.

When a report of misuse or theft of University assets or services is received directly by University Police, they shall have sole discretion as to how best to proceed with the investigation of the reported activity to ensure that the matter is appropriately and successfully addressed.

Policy AD06, "Community Charity
Solicitation of University Employees," outlines the specific exception for the
use of services by a non-University entity.

Reasonable personal phone calls and faxes may be permitted at the
discretion of the budget executive or budget administrator, and if authorized,
any tolls and extra charges must be reimbursed by the employee to the
University budget charged for the initial service.

Any other exception dealing with the offering of services would be for
services not commercially available within the region of the campus. University
departments may perform such services for non-University organizations or
individuals only with written approval in advance from the Corporate
Controller. (see also Policy AD15)

If the tangible asset is to leave University owned or leased locations
for more than 30 days, and is individually tagged, Property Inventory must be
notified. This notification must be via copy of the
Request
for Authorization to Use University Tangible Assets at a Non-University
Location form. Also, upon return of the tangible asset to the
originating department in good working order, a second copy of the
Authorization form, signed by a second departmental representative indicating
receipt, must be forwarded to Property Inventory.

2) The tangible asset is routinely used at a non-University location
and the use is approved and documented (and reported to Property Inventory if
tagged) by other means (e.g., the use of a University vehicle via "VRES,"
etc.).

August 24, 1990 - Form title change; reference to "Request for
Authorization to use University Equipment at a Non-University Location" is now
retitled (now says University Assets instead of Equipment).

December 10, 1988 - Revision to "Exceptions" section, per Office of
Naval Research review of University's Property System.

November 15, 1981 - Policy title change to "Use of University
Equipment, Supplies, and services" (Formerly Materials).